Trot Insider has learned that one of the leading contenders for the 2016 Maple Leaf Trot will not be entered in this year's race.
Trotting powerhouse Obrigado will be sidelined from this year's Maple Leaf Trot. Trainer and co-owner Paul Kelley posted on Twitter on Tuesday morning that the trotter has a slight fever.
"Unfortunately Obrigado won't be competing in the Maple Leaf Trot due a slight fever today," stated Kelly. "We're obviously disappointed but health comes [first]."
With $532,070 earned from 12 starts this year, Obrigado (Boy Band - Malimony) is the richest trotting horse of 2016 and only trails Maple Leaf Trot supplement Hannelore Hanover in overall seasonal earnings among older trotters. Kelley co-owns the six-year-old with SRF Stable and Stable 45 of Florida and Maine's Linwood Higgins.
The draw for Saturday's Maple Leaf Trot elims will be posted when available.